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One reason people make a big deal about drinking alcohol is because it's an addictive drug and some people develop into alcoholics from drinking it. If you'd ever seen what alcohol does to the life of an alcoholic, you'd have a more respect for the the destructive power of alcohol.
The Greek word for"wine" in the New Testament can mean either alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Here's a good article on this topic:
Did Jesus Turn Water Into Wine?
As for Paul's admonition to Timothy note that earlier in 1 Timothy, Paul had listed among the characteristics of those who would be leaders in the church that they be "not given to drunkenness" (1 Tim 3:3) or "not indulging in much wine"(1 Tim 3:8).
In advice to Titus, elders need to be examples who are "not given to drunkenness" (Tit 1:7), and the elder women in the church are to be taught not to be "addicted to much wine" (literally, "slaves to wine," Tit 2:3). In all these injunctions, the emphasis is clearly on moderation; namely, a responsible use of alcohol that does not lead to its control of one’s life. This is in keeping with a central principle of Christian life stated by Paul in Ephesians 5:18: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." The only legitimate controlling reality in the believer’s life is to be God’s Spirit. All other controlling realities are, in fact, idolatrous.
Jesus may never have drank a sip of alcohol in his life and the apostles, if they did drink alcohol after their conversion, certainly did not drink it to the point of intoxication.
You might want to be careful about going around pushing alcohol because "Jesus and the apostles drank it" when that's just not the case.
The Greek word for"wine" in the New Testament can mean either alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Here's a good article on this topic:
Did Jesus Turn Water Into Wine?
As for Paul's admonition to Timothy note that earlier in 1 Timothy, Paul had listed among the characteristics of those who would be leaders in the church that they be "not given to drunkenness" (1 Tim 3:3) or "not indulging in much wine"(1 Tim 3:8).
In advice to Titus, elders need to be examples who are "not given to drunkenness" (Tit 1:7), and the elder women in the church are to be taught not to be "addicted to much wine" (literally, "slaves to wine," Tit 2:3). In all these injunctions, the emphasis is clearly on moderation; namely, a responsible use of alcohol that does not lead to its control of one’s life. This is in keeping with a central principle of Christian life stated by Paul in Ephesians 5:18: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." The only legitimate controlling reality in the believer’s life is to be God’s Spirit. All other controlling realities are, in fact, idolatrous.
In light of these prohibitions against the excessive use of alcohol, Paul’s advice to Timothy, "Stop drinking only water and use a little wine" (emphasis mine), implies that Timothy may have concluded, from the warnings against excessive use, that total abstinence was called for. It may even be that the false teachers, in their prohibition against certain foods (1 Tim 4:3), had argued for total abstinence.
In any case, Timothy’s total rejection of alcohol seems to have had harmful consequences for his health. So Paul, in keeping with his warnings against abusive use, counsels for the use of "a little wine." In this, he is simply reflecting the common use of wine, especially for medicinal purposes, in the ancient world. Its beneficial effects "against dyspeptic complaints, as a tonic, and as counteracting the effects of impure water, were widely recognized in antiquity" and are confirmed by modern medicine. Paul’s view on this matter may have been backed by the advice of his fellow worker Luke, the beloved physician.
In any case, Timothy’s total rejection of alcohol seems to have had harmful consequences for his health. So Paul, in keeping with his warnings against abusive use, counsels for the use of "a little wine." In this, he is simply reflecting the common use of wine, especially for medicinal purposes, in the ancient world. Its beneficial effects "against dyspeptic complaints, as a tonic, and as counteracting the effects of impure water, were widely recognized in antiquity" and are confirmed by modern medicine. Paul’s view on this matter may have been backed by the advice of his fellow worker Luke, the beloved physician.
Jesus may never have drank a sip of alcohol in his life and the apostles, if they did drink alcohol after their conversion, certainly did not drink it to the point of intoxication.
You might want to be careful about going around pushing alcohol because "Jesus and the apostles drank it" when that's just not the case.
Luke 7....
33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”
Plus the water to wine miricle.
So wouldn't this suggest that Jesus had perhaps the occational glass of wine? That's why I don't know why some people make such a big deal about some of this stuff. It's like they think if you have one drink you've become an alcholic or something. I'm not saying it's for everyone.
But did Jesus drink? Or am I reading that verse wrong?
33 For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”
Plus the water to wine miricle.
So wouldn't this suggest that Jesus had perhaps the occational glass of wine? That's why I don't know why some people make such a big deal about some of this stuff. It's like they think if you have one drink you've become an alcholic or something. I'm not saying it's for everyone.
But did Jesus drink? Or am I reading that verse wrong?